Shillong May 16: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday decided to create a directorate of food processing while also approving an ordinance to regulate arrow shooting and ensure generation of revenue from the operation of archery counters.

These decisions were taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday.

The Directorate of Food Processing will function under the Agriculture department and facilitate the setting up of food processing units to ensure better utilization of agricultural produces.

Meanwhile the state cabinet has also approved an ordinance known as “Meghalaya regulation of the game of arrow shooting and sale of teer tickets ordinance, 2018” to regulate arrow shooting and operation of teer counters.

The game of arrow shooting was earlier taxed along with other items under the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax Act, 1982.

However, after the Goods and Services Tax Act was enforced across the country with effect from July 1, 2017, the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax Act, 1982 did not exist anymore.

Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, told reporters that since the game of arrow-shooting did not come under the ambit of GST Act, the state government wanted to have a law that will specifically regulate the game and teer counters across the state.

The Meghalaya government was getting some revenue from the game of arrow shooting in the past. During 2014-15, the revenue was Rs 1.1 crore and Rs 1.73 crore during 2015-16.